NIKOLA TESLA

BIOGRAPHY Born on July 10, 1856 in Smiljan, Croatia

Attended the Higher Real Gymnasium school

Finished the 4 year program in 3 years

In 1873 he contracted cholera

In 1875 Tesla enrolled at Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, Austria

Later went on to work with Thomas Edison and the Continental Edison Company designing and improving electrical equipment

Died on January 7, 1943 in New York, USA

CONTRIBUTIONS

Fluorescent Light bulbs

Radio

Remote Control

Robotics

Lasers

Wireless Communications

Alternating Current

ALTERNATING CURRENT

Current that constantly flows back and forth

Most commonly found in our homes

Modern AC supply system was developed by Tesla

The first AC induction motor was patented by Tesla

RIVALRY WITH EDISON

Started with Tesla insisting he could improve Edison’s inefficient motors and generators

Edison bet Tesla $50 000 to do it

Tesla came back a few months later with alternating current

He quit the Continental Edison Company and started his own company; The Tesla Electric Light Company

He would develop patents for AC generators, wires, transformers, lights and motors.

MODERN DAY EFFECTS

Alternating current is used to power our homes, schools and offices

Radio waves are used all over the world to communicate with one another

Developed fluorescent light bulbs which are more efficient than incandescent bulbs

Contributed to the design of modern day X-ray machines used in hospitals all over the world

THE TESLA COIL

Invented in 1891

Used to produce high voltage, low alternating current

Tesla used them to conduct innovative experiments in concepts such as phosphorescence and lighting